Rams: Cooper Kupp Extension A Reminder Of Good 2017 Draft Class
The Los Angeles Rams just signed Cooper Kupp to a big time extension, and it’s a reminder of how their 2017 draft class helped shape the franchise.
The Los Angeles Rams have made headlines with extensions recently. They reworked a contract for Aaron Donald, paying him $95 million in total through 2024, the highest AAV number for a non-quarterback in NFL history. Then, it was Cooper Kupp’s turn, as he signed a three-year extension, keeping him in LA for another five seasons to the tune of $110 million in total.
Cooper Kupp and the Rams reached agreement today on a three-year extension that ties him to LA for the next five years, at $110 million, and allows him to assume his rightful place amongst the NFL’s highest-paid WRs, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2022
Aaron Donald and Kupp wrapped up 48 hours apart. pic.twitter.com/md9xsHND2p
The Kupp extension was huge for the Rams, who now can keep the duo together in Kupp and Matthew Stafford for a significant period of time to keep making runs at championships. Allen Robinson also joined the receiver room in the offseason, and they should be in the thick of contention once again in 2022.
Cooper Kupp being back in the news also brings back memories of the 2017 NFL Draft for Los Angeles, one that was transformative in helping them arrive as a contender. As has often been the case for the Rams, it wasn’t a draft where they had a first round selection. Ultimately, though, that didn’t matter.
Gerald Everett was the first of their 2017 selections, and he played a role as a receiving tight end for a few seasons to provide a middle-of-field, seam target for Jared Goff. Then came Kupp in the third round, who just recently won a Super Bowl MVP and the triple crown for a wide receiver. With their second third-round pick, the Rams selected safety John Johnson III, who was integral to their defense in his four seasons with the team.
In the fourth round, Los Angeles selected Samson Ebukam and Josh Reynolds, two players who made impacts on their respective sides of the ball as role players during their Super Bowl run and subsequent playoff trips.
Often, we look for NFL Draft classes that have a ton of hits, when in reality, getting two quality (even very good to elite in this case) starters is the baseline for success. Combine Kupp and Johnson with three significant role players, and the 2017 class was crucial for the Rams to help kickstart their contending window.